Bearing for centrifugal separators.



2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented 3311.5, 1915.

H. D. MORTON. BEARING FOR GENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18,1911.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18.1 911.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l wucmbcva M44 77%.

THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D c.

HARRY D. MORTON,

OF DETRGIT, MICHIGAN.

BEARING FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 11915.

Application filed May 18, 1911. Serial No. 628,092.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY D. MORTON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Detroit, county of JVayne, State of lilichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bearings for Centrifugal Separators, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in centrifugal separators of that class or type in which the separator vessel or bowl is normally or initially free to revolve about an axis independent of or out of alinement with the axis of the driving spindle and is subsequently automatically rigidly connected with the spindle.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide means for insuring that when the automatic means for effecting rigid connection between the spindle and separator vessel are operative, the vessel shall be in exact axial alinement with the spindle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in section of a separator constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 illustrates a modification.

Referring to the drawings 1, indicates an exterior casing or housing, 2 the separator vessel or bowl, and 3 the driving spindle, which parts may be of any preferred form and size and are therefore illustrated more or less conventionally in the drawings.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings. the vessel 2 is provided with an upwardly deflected or concave bottom iand the upper end of the driving spindle 3 lies within the chamber or space formed by said bottom. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, said driving spindle terminates in a spherical shaped section 5 and cooperating therewith is a recess formed in a block 6 which is rigidly secured to the bottom at as by pins 7. The connection between the parts 5, 6, is such that when the machine is started and the parts are rotating at a relatively low speed the vessel 2 may revolve about an axis which is independent of or out of alinement with the axis of the spindle 3. As the speed increases the vessel 2 tends to assume a vertical position and the present invention provides means whereby the gyrations permitted the vessel will be automatically lessened as the speed increases and such vessel will be positively guided into a position of axial alinement with the spindle and then locked thereto.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the spindle is provided adjacent its upper end with two intersecting passages that extend diametrically through the spindle and within which are arranged pins 8, the pertions thereof projecting beyond the spindle being gradually tapered as at 9; and similarly tapered sockets 10 are secured or formed in the block 6, there being one of such sockets in alinement with each pin. The pins 8 are normally retained in their retracted positions as shown in the drawing by the action of springs 11, arranged between collars 12 on the pins and abutments 13 secured in the outer ends of the passages in the spindle. Under the action of centrifugal force, however, said pins will be projected from the spindle and into the cooperating sockets 10. As said pins are thus projected it will be seen that they act to limit the gyrations of the vessel 2 and positively guide said vesselilinto a vertical position. lVlien said pins have been projected to the maximum extent and the tapered sections thereof are engaging throughout their length with the walls of the sockets 10, the vessel will be in exact vertical alinement with the spindle 3 and also rigidly connected thereto.

It will be understood that normally or when the parts are at rest, the tapered pins project slightly into their co-acting sockets furnishing a positive drive connection between the spindle and vessel while at the same time permitting the necessary freedom of movement of the vessel while coming to a position of axial alinement with the spindle. As the machine is started therefore, the vessel 2 is permitted to gyrate freely on the universal joint provided by the contacting spherical surfaces of the members 5, 6, and as the speed increases centrifugal force overcomes the pressure of the springs 11 and forces the tapered pins outwardly from the' spindle until they are completely seated in the sockets 10 with the hereinbefore de scribed result. By this operation, the vessel is practically wedged or positively moved into a position of exact axial alinement with the spindle. The automatically acting means for positively guiding the separator vessel into a'position of exact axial alinement, with the driving spindle before lock.-

ing or connecting it rigidly to such spindle may be varied without departing from the present invention, and in Fig. 2 there is illustrated another embodiment of such invention. Referring to this figure, the vessel 2 is supported on a single ball 15 extending into recesses in the end of the spindle and the bottom 1 of the separator vessel and as shown the driving connection between the vessel and spindle includes pins 16, 17, secured respectively to the spindle and vessel.

On the spindle 3 is fitted a sleeve provided with an annular disk 18 provided with a tapered or beveled periphery adapted to coact with the wall of a beveled opening 20 formed in a plate 21 carried by the vessel 2. Said disk 18 is supported by spring arms 22 which extend across the ends of a passage through the spindle and within which are arranged two weights 23. Said weights are free to move in their supporting and guiding passage under the action of centrifugal force and the springs 22. Preferably said weights are provided at their inner ends with enlargements which when said weights are at the outer limit of their movement contact with a locking ring 24: secured to the spindle and provided with suitable openings through which the reduced portion of said weights freely pass. As shown, the disk 18 normally extends into the opening 20 sufficiently far to provide a stop for limiting the inclination permitted the vessel 2, and as said disk is moved upward under the action of centrifugal force on the weights 28, the vessel will be-gradually caused to assume a vertical position and when the speed has reached a sufliciently high point and the vessel is in a truly vertical position or in exact axial alinement with the spindle 3, said disk 18 forms a lock rigidly connecting the vessel and spindle.

It will be seen that both forms of the invention hereinbefore described provide not only for rigidly connecting the separator vessel and spindle when said parts are in axial alinement, but with such structures it is impossible to lock the vessel and spindle together except they are in such exact axial alinement. Practical experience with devices heretofore proposed for effecting a locking or rigid connection between a separator vessel and its driving spindle after the vessel has assumed a vertical position has shown that frequently such locking will be effected before the parts are in exact axial alinement and while the vessel is revolving about an axis independent although but slightly removed from the line of the axis of. the spindle. Such a locking, of course, prevents the vessel from continuing to rotate about its own independent axis and results in producing gyrations thereof, the extent of which depend upon the inclination of its axis from the line of the axis of the spindle at the instant the locking devices become operative. As before explained, however, the present invention positively guides the vessel into a position of exact axial alinement with the spindle before the locking devices are operative as such.

An important feature of the invention herein described is that gyrations of the bowl are progressively and gradually limited and the means which limits such gyrations acts in conjunction with centrifugal force. This feature distinguishes the invention from apparatus having means that act suddenly whenever the bowl has reached a predetermined speed and for an instant comes into axial alinement with the driving spindle.

The action of centrifugal force in combination with the universal mounting of a separator bowl will ultimately cause the bowl to assume a position of axial alinement, provided the freedom of the bowl to gyrate is not interfered with. This freedom to rate must not be interfered with and any means provided for limiting it must, in order to obtain the desired results, act progressively. Unless the means for limiting the gyrations acts as herein described. or progressively, it is possible that the bowl and spindle will become locked before the effect of centrifugal force has acted to distribute the mass equally about the geometric center of the bowl. As before noted, in the operation of such separators it is possible that while the bowl is still gvrating it will assume a position of axial alinement with the driving spindle and if the means for locking the bowl to the spindle is of such character that it will operate whenever such alinement occurs, the purposes of the invention will not be attained. To distinguish means of the character last referred to from the invention reference is hereinafter made to the alinement of the axis of the bowl and spindle which is produced as an incident to the action of centrifugal force as being permanent. That is, by the present invention the gvrations of the bowl, are progressively limited and the locking means only rendered operative after the action of centrifugal force has gradually brought the bowl into such relation with the spindle that it would tend to remain in exact alinement therewith, even if no positive lock were provided.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters latent, is: V

1. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected with the spindle bv positive driving means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and means coacting with centrifugal force for progressively guiding the vessel into axial'alinement with the spindle and for locking it rigidly to the spindle when in permanent alinement therewith.

2. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected with the spindle by positive driving means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and automatically acting means adapted to gradually limit gyrations of the vessel and lock it rigidly to the spindle when in exact and permanent axial alinement therewith.

3. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected with the spindle by positive driving means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a coupling for connecting the vessel rigidly to the spindle comprising an apertured member carried by the vessel and surrounding the spindle, and means on the spindle adapted to cooperate with said apertured member by the action of centrifugal force to progressively guide the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and when the vessel and spindle are in permanent alinement to rigidly connect them.

l. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected, with the spindle by positive driving means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a coupling for connecting the vessel rigidly to the spindle comprising two members secured respectively to the vessel and spindle and adapted by the action of centrifugal force and in cooperation therewith to first progressively bring the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and thereafter rigidly connect the vessel to the spindle.

5. In a. centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected with the spindle by means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a coupling for connecting the vessel rigidly to the spindle comprising an apertured member carried by one of said elements, a complementary means on the other element, said members being engaged by the action of centrifugal force, and springs acting to separate the members of the coupling.

6. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a spindle, a separator vessel connected with the spindle by means normally permitting it to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a coupling for connecting the vessel rigidly to the spindle comprising an apertured member carried by the vessel and surrounding the spindle, means on the spindle adapted to be engaged with said apertured member by the action of centrifugal force,

and springs acting to separate the members of said coupling.

7. in a centrifugal separator, the combination of a separator vessel, a driving spindle connected with the vessel by positive driving means normally permitting the vessel to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a plurality of movable pins carried by the spindle and adapted to be projected therefrom by the action of centrifugal force to first progressively guide the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and thereafter lock it rigidly to the spindle.

8. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a driving spindle, of a separator supported on said spindle to be positively driven thereby and normally adapted to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and means coacting with centrifugal force for progressively guiding the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and then locking said parts rigidly together including a pin adapted to be projected from the spindle into engagement with a socket carried by the vessel.

9. In a centrifugal separator, the combi nation with a dri ing spindle, of a separator supported on said spindle and normally adapted to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and means for guiding the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and then locking said parts rigidly together including a plurality of cooperating tapering pins and sockets carried respectively by the spindle and vessel and adapted to be engaged by the action of centrifugal force.

10. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a driving spindle, of a separator supported on said spindle and normally adapted to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and means for guiding the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle and then looking said parts rigidly together including a plurality of cooperating tapering pins and sockets carried respectively by the spindle and vessel and adapted to be engaged by the action of centrifugal force, and springs acting to withdraw the pins from the sockets.

11. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a driving spindle, and a separator vessel connected with the spindle and adapted to revolve about an axis out of alinement with the axis of the spindle, of means for guiding the vessel into a position of axial alinement with the spindle and maintaining it in such position.

12. In a centrifugal separator, the combination with a driving spindle, and a separator vessel connected with the spindle and adapted to revolve about an axis out of alinement with the axis of the spindle, of means for positively guiding the vessel into axial alineinent with the spindle and locking it in such position independent of any variation of the relative positions of the spindle and vessel in a vertical direction.

18. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a driving spindle, a separator vessel connected With the spindle and adapted to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and a tapered locking member adapted to engage With a member at taohed to the vessel to lock the vessel in axial alinement with the spindle.

14. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a driving spindle, a separator vessel connected With the spindle and adapted to revolve about an axis independent of that of the spindle, and means comprising two relatively movable and engageable members, adapted to positively move the vessel into axial alinement with the spindle as they are brought into engagement and to retain the vessel in such position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY D. MORTON. Witnesses:

HAZEL ANDERSON, HENRY S. SLYFIELD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatente, Washington, D. C. 

